Newswise — The American Motility Society (AMS) announces a program supported by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. to provide advanced clinical training in gastrointestinal motility and neurogastroenterology to trainees in gastroenterology so that future gastroenterologists can provide appropriate care and evaluation of the increasing number of patients with GI motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders. The AMS-Sucampo/Takeda Fellowship Training in Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility program will support GI fellows at five dedicated AMS recognized GI Motility "Centers of Excellence."
"Specialized training programs like this are critical because they provide the means for selected GI fellows to pursue an apprenticeship-based training in neurogastroenterology and GI motility by exposing them to a dedicated GI motility center of excellence," said Henry Parkman, M.D. President of the American Motility Society. "It is important to encourage and support these young doctors. These awards will help to ensure that future gastroenterologists are equipped to address the unmet clinical need for training and caring for patients with these conditions."
Selected GI fellows will have the opportunity to train at five AMS recognized GI Motility Centers of Excellence throughout the United States selected by the AMS. The candidates selected for each fellowship will learn latest technologies and treatment options under expert guidance; including how to care for patients with functional GI disorders.
"Takeda's mission is to strive toward better health for individuals," said Mehmood Khan, M.D., senior vice president, Medical and Scientific Affairs at Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. "If we can help provide these young doctors with the necessary training for the latest diagnostic and treatment approaches, we're one step closer to helping their patients and the greater community achieve better health. We're pleased that the AMS is willing to partner with us to help achieve that goal."
Gastrointestinal motility and functional disorders such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease and fecal incontinence affect up to 30 percent of the US population. These disorders comprise up to 50 percent of GI problems for which patients seek health care and they pose a heavy burden of illness, decreased quality of life and decreased work productivity.
"Unfortunately, these disorders are often ignored or sidelined because of a lack of understanding about how the diseases work, diagnostic approaches and appropriate therapy," said Satish Rao, M.D., chair, Clinical Practice and Education Committee at the American Motility Society. "We are proud to support this program, with the help of Takeda and Sucampo, to help advance the understanding of the GI motility dysfunction and the GI motility tests that form the basis for effective, appropriate management of patients."
Ten trainees (GI fellows or newly-hired faculty at academic medical institutions) will undergo a one month rotation at the selected AMS Centers of Excellence, including the University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Kansas, Temple University and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. During the rotation, program participants will observe GI motility procedures and help interpret the clinical tests performed by faculty mentors. In addition, participants will attend several lectures and conferences per week in addition to the hands-on training they will receive at each of the five centers. By the end of the rotation, each GI fellow will have gained exposure and understanding of a wide range of GI motility tests.
About the American Motility Society
The American Motility Society (AMS) is the oldest national GI motility organization that represents a broad group of academic and practicing clinicians, scientists, trainees, technicians and nurses. The AMS seeks to foster excellence in research and medical practice and to promote neurogastroenterology and GI motility.
About Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Sucampo) was founded in 1996 and is an emerging pharmaceutical company, based in Bethesda, Maryland. Under the direction of Sachiko Kuno, the company's president and CEO, it is transitioning itself from a research & development company to a fully integrated pharmaceutical company, which now employs a small yet specialized sales force. Sucampo R&D focuses on the development and commercialization of drugs based on prostones. The therapeutic potential of prostones was first identified by co-founder and CSO, Dr. Ryuji Ueno. Sucampo is focused on developing prostones with novel mechanisms of action for the treatment of gastrointestinal, respiratory, vascular and central nervous system diseases and disorders for which there are unmet or underserved medical needs and significant commercial potential.
About Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. In the United States, Takeda currently markets oral diabetes, sleep, gastroenterology and cholesterol lowering treatments. The company has a robust pipeline with compounds in development for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions. Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. To learn more about the company and its products, visit http://www.tpna.com.
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